tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33107564421550751472018-03-02T09:25:50.010-08:00~Something out of Nothing~Something out of Nothing
Musings and more..~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.comBlogger212125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-25829415074610601792014-07-25T21:38:00.000-07:002014-07-25T21:38:54.760-07:00Euro or bust....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A whirlwind of summer hit hard and fast after Donovan Boy's graduation from 8th grade... Flying out to europe to visit family in the UK, friends and new places in northern Italy and just playing around in Paris, we were fortunate to have such lovely weather, great food and company to go with our very sore feet and legs each day!<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d7QFtidvaS4/U9MsGLnsVHI/AAAAAAAACfE/ZNF33i5fZME/s1600/P1000849.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d7QFtidvaS4/U9MsGLnsVHI/AAAAAAAACfE/ZNF33i5fZME/s1600/P1000849.JPG" height="200" width="130" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donovan boy age 15!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p036UDadkNY/U9MuKsI7NII/AAAAAAAACfQ/_BJi5PbNiZU/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p036UDadkNY/U9MuKsI7NII/AAAAAAAACfQ/_BJi5PbNiZU/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cutty Sark in Greenwich, London in full glory!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1BajbwUP6jA/U9MueWj3UcI/AAAAAAAACfo/wdup01jp-zU/s1600/P1000930.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1BajbwUP6jA/U9MueWj3UcI/AAAAAAAACfo/wdup01jp-zU/s1600/P1000930.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wonderful bike ride out to Monet's House and Gardens...truly inspiring!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qyj70piKVNE/U9MuTQxLmzI/AAAAAAAACfY/eJ-NH29XxP8/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qyj70piKVNE/U9MuTQxLmzI/AAAAAAAACfY/eJ-NH29XxP8/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great place to soak sore feet in Paris at the end of the day....</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmaBsobSYf8/U9Mud2A4UPI/AAAAAAAACfg/a7xDGxT9cSA/s1600/P1010039.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmaBsobSYf8/U9Mud2A4UPI/AAAAAAAACfg/a7xDGxT9cSA/s1600/P1010039.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The quaintest village in Piemont, I think we were the only guests....</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Upon our return, work and jetlag hit at the same time, so only now a couple of weeks after getting back are we finding a more relaxed rhythm. We have the good fortune to have our nephew from New York visit us for a week and the boys really had fun with him also!<br /><br />Whilst I'm hankering for another get away in a tent somewhere, it seems that high school may start in the middle of August and so we may have to wait until later now.... we have yet to completely find the perfect high school in La La Land, but have faith that the right opportunity will present itself soon.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-55714893325196226582014-05-15T18:13:00.001-07:002014-05-15T18:13:11.733-07:00What's your favourite??<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This is an age old game to play with yourself or others and perfect for getting to know someone, far better than ticking 'likes' on FB - I played this on my first real date with my now husband, of 17th years - yes the Hairy One - and we still argue about how well we THINK we know each other!<br /><br />&nbsp;The uniqueness of each of us, yea all 7 billion or thereabouts, can be cross referenced, shuffled and coerced into useless forms of information, but maybe this is just for the fun of it...those who know me are probably not surprised, those who thought they knew me may be disapponted or even possibly disgusted, one can only hope to entertain the notion that anybody may be reading this and therefore how accurate is it really?<br />&nbsp;Feel free to play yourself, cut and paste even on FB if you really want it to used in some marketing to yourself.. <br /><br />So here goes...<br /><br /><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Sweeties? <span style="color: #7f6000;">Uk rubbish like Refreshers, lemon bon bons and fortnum's marshmellow</span></li><li><span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="color: black;">or choc?</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color: #741b47;"> love good dark choc with caramel!</span></span></li><li>Can't help but dance? <span style="color: #351c75;">Radiohead</span></li><li>Rock out?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Led Zep! &nbsp;&nbsp; </li><li>Fav current band?&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color: #741b47;"> The Black Keys </span></li><li>Fav old band?&nbsp; <span style="color: #c27ba0;">The Charlatans</span></li><li>Colour - top three in order?&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;"> Green, Purple and Black</span></li><li>Last meal on earth would be? <span style="color: #674ea7;">Indian all the way</span></li><li>Summer time drink? <span style="color: #38761d;">Oh dearie, G &amp; T with a twist of lime!</span></li><li>Winter time drink? - <span style="color: #990000;">Has to be Wassail or warmed port!</span></li><li>Everyday drink? - <span style="color: #b45f06;">Water and grapefuit juice</span></li><li>Friends since?&nbsp; <span style="color: #134f5c;">Top Marks known since 5!1973!</span></li><li>Best country visited? <span style="color: #e06666;">Indonesia for sure!</span></li><li>Awesome food store? Fortnums for special stuff or Sprouts everyday</li><li>Great clothes? <span style="color: #0b5394;">Bryn Walker and Anthropologie</span></li><li>Funniest movie? <span style="color: #674ea7;">Bridesmaids</span></li><li>Saddest movie?&nbsp; <span style="color: red;">Schindlers List</span></li><li>All time movie? <span style="color: #351c75;">The Princess Bride</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></li><li>Best TV show? <span style="color: #cc0000;">Star Trek</span></li><li>Smells like? <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Indian Rose oil</span> </li><li>Great Poetry by?&nbsp;<span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="background-color: white;"> William Wordsworth and POE</span></span></li><li>Book that changed your life? <span style="color: #e06666;">The Stars My Destination</span></li><li>Great day out would be? <span style="color: #674ea7;">Korean spa and sleeping under a tree</span></li></ol>yep just 23.....another game you can play all day.</div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-36208083160124718002014-03-01T22:00:00.002-08:002014-03-01T22:00:46.997-08:00Weather be true. Lion or Lamb?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /> <br /><div id="in-text-sidebar"> <div class="sidebar_l" id="left_bar"> <div class="blockleft"><div id="skyscraper"> </div></div></div></div><div class="article-img-wrap"> <br /> </div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong> <span style="font-family: Times,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">“If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb?”</span></strong></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJQHnY2lmEw/UxLIrtMLN2I/AAAAAAAACb4/b3knT5xLpT8/s1600/2009_03_31_lamb-773135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJQHnY2lmEw/UxLIrtMLN2I/AAAAAAAACb4/b3knT5xLpT8/s1600/2009_03_31_lamb-773135.jpg" height="320" width="309" /></a></div><br /><strong><br /></strong>I often wonder about the truth of folk lore, specifially weather lore, for I am a self professed storm- chaser and get quite excited at the prospect of what I like to refer to as 'high weather'! My children of course think I'm a little screwy but one must know thyself ( even if some things don't make sense!)<br /><br />I wonder if many sayings are based on careful observation or are even accurate or merely the bountiful beliefs of suspicious heretics! The people that came before us truly believed that bad spirits could affect the weather and crops and they were overtly cautious. <br /><br />This would seem like a fun rhyme and while I get my tornado watch on....here are some other fun sayings to ponder!<br /><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><em>A dry March and a wet May? Fill barns and bays with corn and hay.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>As it rains in March so it rains in June.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>March winds and April showers? Bring forth May flowers.</em></div></div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-60231849790988510522013-07-29T17:32:00.002-07:002013-07-29T17:32:29.399-07:0011th Hour!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Dear Little Gandalf,<br /><br />You will always remain youthful to me, your flowing locks may grey in time, and wisdom may well imbue your being in the far future, but for now, you remain my little boy. In true joy I watch you grow strong, explore your expanding world, and find your inner self! You make us laugh out loud everyday and sometimes we can't help but exclaim unrepeatable words.... but we<span style="color: #990000;"> <b>love </b></span>you forever and today we remember the special day that is your birth day. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Happy Birthday, now you are 11</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q43PIzZRl5Y/UfcIlx5ciyI/AAAAAAAACaI/s5T1TDxW2iU/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q43PIzZRl5Y/UfcIlx5ciyI/AAAAAAAACaI/s5T1TDxW2iU/s320/IMG_0909.JPG" width="255" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oT1DYW5y8Xw/UfcIwmfmMpI/AAAAAAAACaQ/8WlKBizmBbo/s1600/leo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oT1DYW5y8Xw/UfcIwmfmMpI/AAAAAAAACaQ/8WlKBizmBbo/s320/leo2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div></div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-36769618041699181882013-07-22T21:30:00.000-07:002013-07-24T16:03:22.008-07:00And another one gone...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CFbETc5p3E/UfBby25rDII/AAAAAAAACZk/-jHNKeLF4sk/s1600/IMG_0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CFbETc5p3E/UfBby25rDII/AAAAAAAACZk/-jHNKeLF4sk/s400/IMG_0917.JPG" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archetype Mother's Mantle</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;So another one bites the dust...a year that is, since the last time <span style="color: #cc0000;">Donovan Boy</span> and I snuggled up on the eve of his birthday to hear yet another telling (14) of the story of his arrival! Not really the same ethereal story we tell in the Waldorf kinder/nursery, but more a re-telling of wonderment, surprise and memories of before during and after his birth. It's amazing how many times I tell it, it's never dull or even the same parts that are highlighted, so maybe over the years, he will get a fuller picture from the snippets mustered and magically the story becomes a living reality!<br /><br />I am now just writing the birthday story I will use in this years' Daisy nursery and I can picture the children's faces as we weave the wistful pictures of guardian angels, heavenly children visiting the Sun, moon and planets whilst waiting to find their perfect Mama's and Papa's on earth. Believe it or no, it doesn't matter, because they know the truth of it and the story speaks to their hearts in love and comfort - who can argue with that philosophy?<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kl1dwR7P7Y/UfBb0rtQ1TI/AAAAAAAACZs/AFL2vQBgQKg/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kl1dwR7P7Y/UfBb0rtQ1TI/AAAAAAAACZs/AFL2vQBgQKg/s320/IMG_0934.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy Cupcake Cake blazing for 14th</td></tr></tbody></table>So many birthdays to celebrate and first to note is Montgomery Felix ( not a code name!) my dear little nephew so far away and still with some hurdles to overcome, but I'm sure his journey will be filled with love, hope, comfort and many joys - can't wait to hold you Monty!!<br /><br />Secondly and just as important are the birthdays of elders. Let's not forget the fact that they too will enjoy the fruits of your labours if given the chance ( spending time with grand kids/parents). Dear AnnieMac will be having her umpteenth this weekend, and yes - we will eat cake on her behalf!<br /><br />Lastly, Little Gandalf will get his own post about the upcoming beach bash to bring him into elevenses fully and yet another birthday story is forming....<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_4sSnnhw8CA/UfBb4pRoooI/AAAAAAAACZ0/hSBg5_asCyw/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_4sSnnhw8CA/UfBb4pRoooI/AAAAAAAACZ0/hSBg5_asCyw/s320/IMG_0936.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A surprise addition to our Summer nature table....truly interactive!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>late notice: Happy Birthday Royal Boy Baby, we are betting on James Philip being some names to choose from..... update* so I guess we lost the bet!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-14187700169104768982013-05-10T20:16:00.003-07:002013-05-10T20:16:39.598-07:00Not just a Sunday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Mothers Day. Some years I dread it, others I try to ignore it altogether ( UK version is in March), but this one feels different. I cannot call her, see her, smell her or touch her anymore, however I will choose to honour her, remember her, forgive her and love her. Shirley Anne Morris gave me many lovely childhood memories, was horrible at telling jokes, but always made us laugh with her&nbsp; willingness to act out, sing too loudly in the car and pull silly faces. She gave me life against many odds, kept me safe and loved me when it was hard to do so, thank you Mum.<br /><br />I am happy to light a memorial candle for you Mum and day dream about the happy days and maybe this year I will be able to see your face, smell your skin, hear your voice and remember your touch through my dreams and inner quiet.<br /><br />That will be a Mothers Day gift indeed.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPmpkF3vj8o/UY21mjkbivI/AAAAAAAACYM/3moeNnmNSyo/s1600/argus+&amp;+shirley+may+76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPmpkF3vj8o/UY21mjkbivI/AAAAAAAACYM/3moeNnmNSyo/s320/argus+&amp;+shirley+may+76.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum and Quinn in the garden 197 something....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QEOHdIl-b9M/UY21qBCMrkI/AAAAAAAACYU/KVwoEb7mNTg/s1600/mum1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QEOHdIl-b9M/UY21qBCMrkI/AAAAAAAACYU/KVwoEb7mNTg/s320/mum1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy after Rossi's faces!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aLCMk6SWjnM/UY21xviBeoI/AAAAAAAACYc/0-Q8rVXgY8w/s1600/Temple+Bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aLCMk6SWjnM/UY21xviBeoI/AAAAAAAACYc/0-Q8rVXgY8w/s320/Temple+Bar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donovan Boy and Phoenix dance at the Temple Bar</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDk7Sl4479I/UY21xtQv8lI/AAAAAAAACYg/IdCQ7zpoYIY/s1600/DSC03159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDk7Sl4479I/UY21xtQv8lI/AAAAAAAACYg/IdCQ7zpoYIY/s320/DSC03159.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Gandalf and Phoenix in Topanga</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gmbskSGcFeE/UY214oeFCYI/AAAAAAAACYs/MUkHVkV_q14/s1600/hat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gmbskSGcFeE/UY214oeFCYI/AAAAAAAACYs/MUkHVkV_q14/s320/hat.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May Faire pic for Mum by Muppes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-12540588906909872742013-03-22T11:45:00.001-07:002013-03-22T11:45:14.472-07:00Egging on Spring<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Spring has truly sprung around here, the outside window tree is filling in with fresh green leaves; the chattering squirrels are chasing and fighting over mates, the hummingbird nests are brimming with tiny eggs whilst&nbsp; Pesach and Easter are upon us all of a sudden!!<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4YNnaF1qsmQ/UUymHbBDaKI/AAAAAAAACXw/JCyOvaAvQmI/s1600/DSC05484.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4YNnaF1qsmQ/UUymHbBDaKI/AAAAAAAACXw/JCyOvaAvQmI/s320/DSC05484.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />As a family who love to celebrate everything, we are excited about spending some Spring break time doing a small home camp with egg related activities galore!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlMzXKDlnHU/UUymDuoNqII/AAAAAAAACXg/MChxu38tOYM/s1600/DSC01710.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlMzXKDlnHU/UUymDuoNqII/AAAAAAAACXg/MChxu38tOYM/s200/DSC01710.JPG" width="150" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dalKc1qXD-s/UUymJUBNDFI/AAAAAAAACX4/nZPEqgqmUaE/s1600/images.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dalKc1qXD-s/UUymJUBNDFI/AAAAAAAACX4/nZPEqgqmUaE/s1600/images.jpg" /></a> <br />From wood worked painted eggs and swords to home made bath balls and easter bread, we hope our egg-stravanganza of spring will be felt by all who attend! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlMzXKDlnHU/UUymDuoNqII/AAAAAAAACXg/MChxu38tOYM/s1600/DSC01710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlvMbHoLZ5s/UUymFfYOnrI/AAAAAAAACXo/r2wL81U43Hg/s1600/DSC02852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlvMbHoLZ5s/UUymFfYOnrI/AAAAAAAACXo/r2wL81U43Hg/s320/DSC02852.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felted 3d scene Spring 2009</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4YNnaF1qsmQ/UUymHbBDaKI/AAAAAAAACXw/JCyOvaAvQmI/s1600/DSC05484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dalKc1qXD-s/UUymJUBNDFI/AAAAAAAACX4/nZPEqgqmUaE/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-29880476605932001142013-03-09T23:09:00.000-08:002013-03-13T23:13:30.163-07:00Past or Present?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15-gOeY_sIA/UTpH-lxktbI/AAAAAAAACW8/TTdaKZe0KEE/s1600/DSC09425.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15-gOeY_sIA/UTpH-lxktbI/AAAAAAAACW8/TTdaKZe0KEE/s320/DSC09425.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v5vFAYN49Cs/UUFqbejHb_I/AAAAAAAACXQ/CUedXCCDdXo/s1600/DSC09429.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v5vFAYN49Cs/UUFqbejHb_I/AAAAAAAACXQ/CUedXCCDdXo/s200/DSC09429.JPG" width="150" /></a>Now that my body has struggled out of the ashes of boring sickness, ( you too eh?) I am now starting to feel that Spring is on it's way and mustering what energies I have budding, I had hoped by now that my artistic muses were back in full reflective force...but what the hey? I am having a hard time getting my brain around the deluge of fear based images, false fame via various routes of electronic media and balancing the rising costs of basic living. Sure I know, I'm getting older, this is not my time, cliche cliche etc etc. but, I am a mother, I teach children and it's part of my job to know the world. This time is mine too and I am not one to rest in the past too much or think it better in some way;&nbsp; things change, look forward to what is new, innovative and useful. There is certainly plenty that's yet to be discovered.<br /><br />Increasingly drawn to deeper more meaningful experiences, or a wish to leave behind all that does not generally benefit the good (this is for sure my age talking). Sure we all need to make money, but do we need to really share all our mundane moments online? Yet here I am doing just that, blogging, without anything truly to say, but who reads it anyway? Is this more like a diary that gets discovered by someone and reads it anyhow? Is this the moment of secret sharing that goads the guilt experience?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rijQMLJpNs/UTpH5s2Lx0I/AAAAAAAACWc/ttIaSQKRKgI/s1600/P1000204.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rijQMLJpNs/UTpH5s2Lx0I/AAAAAAAACWc/ttIaSQKRKgI/s400/P1000204.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Gandalf (sings) and Donovan Boy (guitar) at Rockband 2012</td></tr></tbody></table>Back to shallow sharing.....Donovan Boy will not stop....the 13 year old deep voice echos the once full sentence, now reduced to the one teenage word answer - ok or good; eating tons; reading in a locked room, but still sweet and happy, goodness knows how it all ends! Little Gandalf sings all day, feelstylin' he calls it, sometimes inspired, but mostly just finding a way to get the last word on everything! We continue to break many rules where we live, those we feel are useless and arbitary, more than one animal, larger tank than allowed ( for turtles) and more guests than allowed at the pool are some regular ones...oh yes there are many more!!<br /><br />I am wanting to make some new felted art for a show in June, a school art show and possibility for a donation to a silent auction. The last one is hard for me, as I have had many pieces donated and sold for far less than I'm comfortable with, which devalues the work in the long run. Must write more on book......make things for book. List that never changes....maybe one day.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A3PpOkntUnk/UTpH3HAUdsI/AAAAAAAACWU/9wmL8R0oviM/s1600/P1000189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A3PpOkntUnk/UTpH3HAUdsI/AAAAAAAACWU/9wmL8R0oviM/s320/P1000189.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter mini scape 2013</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rijQMLJpNs/UTpH5s2Lx0I/AAAAAAAACWc/ttIaSQKRKgI/s1600/P1000204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15-gOeY_sIA/UTpH-lxktbI/AAAAAAAACW8/TTdaKZe0KEE/s1600/DSC09425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>wishing you a blessed day. Happy Birthday Mum, RIP<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v5vFAYN49Cs/UUFqbejHb_I/AAAAAAAACXQ/CUedXCCDdXo/s1600/DSC09429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pR8Fpqmcdjk/UTpH7Ht52LI/AAAAAAAACWk/8FN6604LnTU/s1600/mum1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pR8Fpqmcdjk/UTpH7Ht52LI/AAAAAAAACWk/8FN6604LnTU/s320/mum1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-2408323608181102332012-09-03T16:02:00.000-07:002014-07-25T21:35:32.850-07:00Summer Daze<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A whirlwind of summer hit hard and fast after Donovan Boy's graduation from 8th grade... Flying out to europe to visit family in the UK, friends and new places in northern Italy and just playing around in Paris, we were fortunate to have such lovely weather, great food and company to go with our very sore feet and legs each day!<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d7QFtidvaS4/U9MsGLnsVHI/AAAAAAAACfE/ZNF33i5fZME/s1600/P1000849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d7QFtidvaS4/U9MsGLnsVHI/AAAAAAAACfE/ZNF33i5fZME/s1600/P1000849.JPG" height="200" width="130" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donovan boy age 15!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p036UDadkNY/U9MuKsI7NII/AAAAAAAACfQ/_BJi5PbNiZU/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p036UDadkNY/U9MuKsI7NII/AAAAAAAACfQ/_BJi5PbNiZU/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cutty Sark in Greenwich, London in full glory!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1BajbwUP6jA/U9MueWj3UcI/AAAAAAAACfo/wdup01jp-zU/s1600/P1000930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1BajbwUP6jA/U9MueWj3UcI/AAAAAAAACfo/wdup01jp-zU/s1600/P1000930.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wonderful bike ride out to Monet's House and Gardens...truly inspiring!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qyj70piKVNE/U9MuTQxLmzI/AAAAAAAACfY/eJ-NH29XxP8/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qyj70piKVNE/U9MuTQxLmzI/AAAAAAAACfY/eJ-NH29XxP8/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great place to soak sore feet in Paris at the end of the day....</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmaBsobSYf8/U9Mud2A4UPI/AAAAAAAACfg/a7xDGxT9cSA/s1600/P1010039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmaBsobSYf8/U9Mud2A4UPI/AAAAAAAACfg/a7xDGxT9cSA/s1600/P1010039.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The quaintest village in Piemont, I think we were the only guests....</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Upon our return, work and jetlag hit at the same time, so only now a couple of weeks after getting back are we finding a more relaxed rhythm. We have the good fortune to have our nephew from New York visit us for a week and the boys really had fun with him also!<br /><br />Whilst I'm hankering for another get away in a tent somewhere, it seems that high school may start in the middle of August and so we may have to wait until later now.... we have yet to completely find the perfect high school in La La Land, but have faith that the right opportunity will present itself soon.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-66519864724376353922012-08-23T15:29:00.000-07:002012-10-29T15:32:06.006-07:00Among Giants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">As the summer started to swelter, August found us heading for the hills, (mountains really) and certainly being unplugged for a number of days was a breathe of fresh air!&nbsp; Unreachable by anything other than walking feet, smoke signals or other clever wilderness device (or passing car indeed!), we joyously camped among the giants - Sequoias that is.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GAr4yRku1kE/UI8AC3BSNVI/AAAAAAAACTw/6dJHMmCBAdM/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GAr4yRku1kE/UI8AC3BSNVI/AAAAAAAACTw/6dJHMmCBAdM/s320/IMG_0355.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nestled </td></tr></tbody></table><br />Cooking only by fire, gathering locally felled dry wood and timber, handmade fire starters (recipe below) and home-prepped pouches of fare warmed our bellies by night. The Hairy One, Donovan Boy and Little Gandalf spent late afternoons reading, whittling, wading and watching, whilst I napped, sketched and stretched my thoughts to the fading light. <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDSBEaG6AX4/UI8AKEWCqAI/AAAAAAAACUI/7j3cQpJrh7A/s1600/IMG_0397.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDSBEaG6AX4/UI8AKEWCqAI/AAAAAAAACUI/7j3cQpJrh7A/s200/IMG_0397.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spotted snacking on pine</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Super hikes to the deepest depths of crystal caves, the highest highs of Moro Rock brought us to the sharpness of our senses. Our catching breathe only to spot eight bears in one day!! Some were a close encounter of the very hairy and hungry kind, but none ventured into camp thankfully! Maybe my crazy new evening head-wear scared them off?<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W7rSjLR0NDM/UI8AIs47CxI/AAAAAAAACUA/5iThoaIebtU/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W7rSjLR0NDM/UI8AIs47CxI/AAAAAAAACUA/5iThoaIebtU/s320/IMG_0429.JPG" width="260" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning crystal cave</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2YiXOLlRfi8/UI8Arq9LmcI/AAAAAAAACUU/HP0jb883lBw/s1600/IMG_0469.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2YiXOLlRfi8/UI8Arq9LmcI/AAAAAAAACUU/HP0jb883lBw/s320/IMG_0469.JPG" width="320" /></a>Vista from Moro Rock peak<br /><br /><br />Nonetheless, the family hugged (as a group) super giant trees, whether they be reaching the skies, felled by winds or age or even deeply scarred by elements long since gone, they all gained our deep respect and wonder. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o_diYKc5JHk/UI70pXiuNWI/AAAAAAAACTM/a4lbTtA8EPo/s1600/IMG_0389.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o_diYKc5JHk/UI70pXiuNWI/AAAAAAAACTM/a4lbTtA8EPo/s320/IMG_0389.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to span for a hug....</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xCE-8kVlRhA/UI70mpFUSQI/AAAAAAAACTE/DKDZ8v4YzBI/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xCE-8kVlRhA/UI70mpFUSQI/AAAAAAAACTE/DKDZ8v4YzBI/s400/IMG_0474.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The underside of the Buttress</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><u>Failsafe Firestarter!</u><br />cardboard egg cartons, dryer lint, cotton wool balls, paraffin wax or old candle wax, newspaper.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ePVnsEfnIVA/UI8Ayr-rZ0I/AAAAAAAACUc/vDQdpFlgfxU/s1600/DSC09660.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ePVnsEfnIVA/UI8Ayr-rZ0I/AAAAAAAACUc/vDQdpFlgfxU/s200/DSC09660.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>melt wax slowly in double boiler - an old sauce can (wax inside) placed in a pan of water </li><li>stuff cotton wool balls and dryer lint into each empty egg hole&nbsp;</li><li>place onto several sheets of newspaper to catch drips or seepage</li><li>pour wax over each hole until it's at the top and the dry stuff is wet!</li><li>let it cool, close lid, keep dry and away from fire until needed.&nbsp;</li><li>Just tear off a couple and place under kindling to get your fire going quickly!</li></ol><br /><br /><br /></div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-32542538217972694152012-07-11T20:34:00.000-07:002012-07-11T20:38:47.369-07:00Woolly Wilderness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I think I've found the perfect spot to wear my newly aquired woolly art-hat creation ( thank you to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/girlwithahook" target="_blank">Girl with a Hook</a>) -&nbsp; in Kings Canyon! Whilst looking around for a suitable spot to spend a few days dodging bears, we decided on Kings Canyon <a href="http://www.nps.gov/seki/parkmgmt/wilderness_plan.htm" target="_blank">Wilderness </a>.&nbsp; I'm quite sure the bears will appreciate the loveliness of my understated evening wear while we camp there this Summer!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PRzVE4do8Qc/T_4sGOTgDPI/AAAAAAAACSw/UsgMQ9bvX24/s1600/wooly2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PRzVE4do8Qc/T_4sGOTgDPI/AAAAAAAACSw/UsgMQ9bvX24/s320/wooly2012.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><br />On another note, I am now not relocating to San Diego to assume a new teaching position...long story short.....we are staying in Los Angeles for now. Little Gandalf is rather pleased to be returned to his classmates and super energetic and creative teacher - for that I am so grateful. Dear Donovan Boy will start anew with Westside Waldorf School in 7th grade no less, so we are looking forward to many long rides and talks over to Sunset Blvd! I am still looking for my long term home as a teacher, but have my hot Waldorf certification in hand and will be pursuing deeper waldorf study soon.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-LNX0rljvI/T_4sIjz_ZpI/AAAAAAAACS0/bJRm9or-S0k/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-LNX0rljvI/T_4sIjz_ZpI/AAAAAAAACS0/bJRm9or-S0k/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>Projects looming for me to chase down lots of artistic endeavours are...lazuring my living room and gallery corridor - pics to come later....wooly workshops in August in between some sand castle creations ala Malibu beaches...and of course the quet to finish my fuzzy felted version of Kandinsky's Farbstudie Quadrante.....explored in full fuzziness, depth and dye....</div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0Los Angeles, CA, USA34.0522342 -118.243684933.6312602 -118.87539890000001 34.4732082 -117.6119709tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-21301257762707383022012-04-25T20:54:00.004-07:002012-04-25T20:54:33.271-07:00It's been Grand..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well, it's been so long since I posted, even blogger has changed it's format!&nbsp; The first part of the year has been a whirlwind of sometimes frustrating, 'up-in-the-air-ness' no matter what the area of life. For someone, who could not inaccurately, be called a control freak, this was quite a challenge for me to - let go....but through perseverance, some meditation and lots of dark chocolate, I feel the lightness once again and a new path has become clear.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3DzzWlR1nsw/T5jEs-5YaeI/AAAAAAAACR8/f2oSVhqu2p8/s1600/DSC09430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="483" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3DzzWlR1nsw/T5jEs-5YaeI/AAAAAAAACR8/f2oSVhqu2p8/s640/DSC09430.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet Felted Tapestry with story pockets......made with Suzanne Down ;-)</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Our family undertook quite a collective journey when I entered the Waldorf teacher training program three years ago and now with graduation looming this May, we carefully looked to several options for next year in my teaching career. Cut long arduous story short, I was offered a position at The Waldorf School of San Diego as their newest first grade teacher! Woo Hoo! Here's the odd thing though, we had been looking to move there a few years ago and it was just not lining up, so this is a welcome move be it the harder physical one. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MRlwlbo-i-I/T5jEwXJiMcI/AAAAAAAACSE/npXjUXHn21I/s1600/DSC09479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MRlwlbo-i-I/T5jEwXJiMcI/AAAAAAAACSE/npXjUXHn21I/s640/DSC09479.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Eagle Point</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;To celebrate a few months of very hard work and exhaustion, The Hairy One and I decided a 3 day music festival, which happened to fall upon my birthday and close to our 15th year anniversary was just the thing...so now back from Coachella, which was full of great sets from bands I either loved/didn't know but liked very much/still don't know the name but loved. Being among crowds of very peaceful music loving people warmed the cockles and let me forget the super-grown-up-stuff for a minute.<br /><br /><br />That coupled with a great trip to the Grand Canyon for Spring Break, really has me ready to start making lists....more to come...and a couple of workshops coming up soon too.. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMhBmCBtxu0/T5jEzd-G84I/AAAAAAAACSM/O_5vcMqi4gU/s1600/DSC09522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMhBmCBtxu0/T5jEzd-G84I/AAAAAAAACSM/O_5vcMqi4gU/s400/DSC09522.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite Happy in dusty solitude</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCu34iT8fPg/T5jE3DrmpXI/AAAAAAAACSU/xr3Da0JM7OE/s1600/DSC09516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCu34iT8fPg/T5jE3DrmpXI/AAAAAAAACSU/xr3Da0JM7OE/s400/DSC09516.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Gandalf trying out Native American shelter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkjNFKsCGvE/T5jFXPGJeaI/AAAAAAAACSc/wH084mQp6R0/s1600/DSC09529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkjNFKsCGvE/T5jFXPGJeaI/AAAAAAAACSc/wH084mQp6R0/s640/DSC09529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guano Point - Grand Canyon West 2012</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Donovan Boy is excited to have his own room and the possibility of new friends and freedom, Little Gandalf is less enamoured about leaving his <i>"whole life</i>" behind, but he's not really wrong, only a two hour jaunt away. I am very excited to meet my new set of parents and I am contemplating writing my first story for the children already!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgMA7DDQNMY/T5jFcYfPjuI/AAAAAAAACSk/AhqpJeyN5Zs/s1600/DSC09495.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgMA7DDQNMY/T5jFcYfPjuI/AAAAAAAACSk/AhqpJeyN5Zs/s400/DSC09495.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabins on the rim, cowboy style!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-4166958069987885842012-01-31T21:56:00.000-08:002012-01-31T21:56:01.978-08:00Candlemas and a half....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The more minor festivals of the year are always fascinating to me, as they are rarely celebrated by one and all, and many are not aware that there are other notable events that happen. Astrologically speaking, Candlemas or Groundhog Day - Feb 2nd marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.&nbsp; To mark this auspicious day The Hairy One likes to organise a Groundhog Day jam if possible and I like to dip or roll beeswax candles and then light as many as I can bear and contemplate the unfolding of the flickering lights and it's shadows..<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45W1thvRhvo/TyjQcoBie2I/AAAAAAAACRc/tbZWB0lL4os/s1600/4566287786_c5d60cfa5e_m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45W1thvRhvo/TyjQcoBie2I/AAAAAAAACRc/tbZWB0lL4os/s1600/4566287786_c5d60cfa5e_m.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ7mLpBKIIU/TyjQecYKnKI/AAAAAAAACRk/MOeGuEhPltE/s1600/2101389074_5c1aa1dd50.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ7mLpBKIIU/TyjQecYKnKI/AAAAAAAACRk/MOeGuEhPltE/s320/2101389074_5c1aa1dd50.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">If Candlemas be mild and gay,<br />Go saddle your horses and buy them hay;<br />But if Candlemas be stormy and black, <br />It carries the winter away on its back. –proverb</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ7mLpBKIIU/TyjQecYKnKI/AAAAAAAACRk/MOeGuEhPltE/s1600/2101389074_5c1aa1dd50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RomQIFHG9JQ/TyjSfFCJ8_I/AAAAAAAACRs/E6nDUtyoOr8/s1600/wf06-candleend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RomQIFHG9JQ/TyjSfFCJ8_I/AAAAAAAACRs/E6nDUtyoOr8/s320/wf06-candleend.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As the light grows longer<br />The cold grows stronger<br />If Candlemas be fair and bright<br />Winter will have another flight<br />If Candlemas be cloud and rain<br />Winter will be gone and not come again<br />A farmer should on Candlemas day<br />Have half his corn and half his hay<br />On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop<br />You can be sure of a good pea crop</div></div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-11851081458569394982012-01-06T12:06:00.000-08:002012-01-06T12:06:36.581-08:00Good Health to all this 2012!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">What a busy busy time the end of 2011 was, with so many festivals, faires and relatives coming and going since Thanksgiving! We are so thankful to have been able to host all our visitors and will now say adieu to the Admiral who has found another ship to stay on!! (But I'm sure the wafting cooking smells will lure him back sometimes....)<br /><br />Once again we will Wassail tonight with all those who dare to join us for the hot bowl of apple cider, a little spice and some getting rid of all the chocalate left in the house!! Every year we clear out all the sugar on Jan 5th/6th and stay off it until at least Feb 14th! by the time the second week comes around I can safely say that cherries and strawberries are so darn sweet, I can hardly believe it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/FsB4lTp_MfU/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FsB4lTp_MfU&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FsB4lTp_MfU&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />For those who care to know what on earth Wassail is...please listen to this carefully......enjoy!</div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-11686050911383903132011-10-29T18:00:00.000-07:002011-10-29T18:00:03.339-07:00Terra Firma Q's<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">How lovely are your curves,&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">How is it that you spin so freely?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do the poles meet somewhere in space?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">How old are your craggs? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">How many times have you turned?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">How do you stay current?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">How do I clean you effectively and heal your scars?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">How much did you cost?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">How are the mice?</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQ9pOVL-mok/TqygyznZfhI/AAAAAAAACRM/FFZrGWTqC0g/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQ9pOVL-mok/TqygyznZfhI/AAAAAAAACRM/FFZrGWTqC0g/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoYr9MlWxOU/TqyhGlSXXJI/AAAAAAAACRU/gmTCm8EB8wI/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoYr9MlWxOU/TqyhGlSXXJI/AAAAAAAACRU/gmTCm8EB8wI/s400/images-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-68099300900627718992011-09-28T20:10:00.000-07:002011-09-28T20:54:03.984-07:00Henge your Bets!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vIVyuCKqRhw/ToPqcRkvdnI/AAAAAAAACRA/q14GML3DgJI/s1600/DSC06518.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vIVyuCKqRhw/ToPqcRkvdnI/AAAAAAAACRA/q14GML3DgJI/s400/DSC06518.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657623328382219890" border="0" /></a><br />I have only been to Stone Henge the once and it was not on the solstice or equinox, in fact I remember it being an extremely cold, any and gray day but I did get to touch the stones and run around them, all in the days when you still could without paying a fortune to get up close or use your binoculers!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVkm3w26aWI/ToPqb4VjfrI/AAAAAAAACQw/TKW4beHH-lo/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVkm3w26aWI/ToPqb4VjfrI/AAAAAAAACQw/TKW4beHH-lo/s400/IMG_0632.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657623321607634610" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Festivals are a joyful occasion and some of my favourites are those that are shall we say, a bit off the beaten track...Images of strength and comfort comes with Michealmas, repentance and a new start with a new year ( 5772) Rosh Hashannah and of course the darkening days bring many other fasts and feasts that bring inner wisdom to the light within. Introspection, courage and resolution are all factors in these wonderful festivals...and I like to celebrate all!!<br /><br />Have a joyful New Year, a courageous light filled Michaelmas, and a bountiful harvest!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF-pURrz5v4/ToPqcA23R1I/AAAAAAAACQ4/tSvL7rK--S4/s1600/IMG_0287.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF-pURrz5v4/ToPqcA23R1I/AAAAAAAACQ4/tSvL7rK--S4/s400/IMG_0287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657623323894826834" border="0" /></a>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-69886053591172804792011-08-20T19:44:00.000-07:002011-08-20T21:44:17.349-07:00Phoenix Camp 2011<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Truly wonderous papier mache vessels that hold water</span></span>
<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpJs6doEnrM/TlB33UOJTgI/AAAAAAAACQQ/pH4szQ-2uMo/s1600/DSC09192.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 357px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpJs6doEnrM/TlB33UOJTgI/AAAAAAAACQQ/pH4szQ-2uMo/s400/DSC09192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643142125299781122" border="0" /></a>The last couple of weeks for me, can surely be summed up with copious arty fun, coupled with lots of laughter! To all the children and their families who came to share some of their summer time with me, thank you!
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">from left to right - names are in code!
<br />Sista Gold, Donovan Boy, Rusty Jay, King Ate, Little Gandalf &amp; Stinky Pinky! <span style="font-size:78%;">( she named herself!)</span>
<br /></span></span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zltNPSgO1Aw/TlB331JILXI/AAAAAAAACQg/2MaWuTvHq14/s1600/IMG_0624.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 373px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zltNPSgO1Aw/TlB331JILXI/AAAAAAAACQg/2MaWuTvHq14/s400/IMG_0624.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643142134137105778" border="0" /></a>Here are some pics that highlight some of the days of morning nature walks and games, art projects ( some goopier than others) and swimming fun in the pool!
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wet-felted treasure purses were a hit with both genders, lots of physical effort over two days!</span></span>
<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5wf3uaqtYA/TlB33gjZRII/AAAAAAAACQY/inSCwY7u7kc/s1600/DSC09195.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5wf3uaqtYA/TlB33gjZRII/AAAAAAAACQY/inSCwY7u7kc/s400/DSC09195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643142128610133122" border="0" /></a>The dye pot's coming out soon and I'm excited to try our some new dye from Eugene and harvest some from my garden!! Whilst getting ready for the upcoming season of making and selling various items for fundraising, it's of course now that I remember to get out the sewing machine and finish a huge notice board fabric picture for the start of school (argh!) and as I look out for inspiring vision, the new workshop schedule will form and be posted in the next couple of weeks!! Some offers will be Free-scape sculpting and goddess dollmaking for sure, but possibly wet felted story tapestries, cornucopia felting and more in the coming months!
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Stay abreast with my fiber art news, offers and schedules here - <a href="http://facebook.com/PhaedraPhoenix">www.Facebook.com/PhaedraPhoenix</a>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The childrens' weaving skills and passion really showed their personalities!</span></span>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EwQMTEQ2FCs/TlB33PPEtuI/AAAAAAAACQI/0vvdKJWU_Ns/s1600/DSC09179.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EwQMTEQ2FCs/TlB33PPEtuI/AAAAAAAACQI/0vvdKJWU_Ns/s400/DSC09179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643142123961497314" border="0" /></a>
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<br />~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-11258618291810937522011-08-01T17:35:00.000-07:002011-08-01T17:49:01.392-07:00Nueve<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfK9i-6HNBQ/TjdH8K8iQTI/AAAAAAAACPQ/yZZFhQPufcA/s1600/DSC09081.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceZ_HJADkB8/TjdH7BQmosI/AAAAAAAACO4/5lamnwKvEWM/s1600/DSC09016.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vYniuqhdqJs/TjdH8ZzgEWI/AAAAAAAACPY/hpUu-ggBvW4/s1600/DSC09111.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vYniuqhdqJs/TjdH8ZzgEWI/AAAAAAAACPY/hpUu-ggBvW4/s400/DSC09111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636052561722085730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">My dear Little Gandalf, with his long locks lightened by the sun, was worried about spending his 9th birthday away from his home, upon reflection he thoroughly enjoyed the long day's journey from Mammoth to Santa Cruz, full of surprises, whimsical lakes to sit in and high (9900ft) hiking experiences with magical rainbows to gaze in wonder, in the delights of the Yosemite Forest. <br /></span></span></span></span><p style="text-indent: 0.36in;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfK9i-6HNBQ/TjdH8K8iQTI/AAAAAAAACPQ/yZZFhQPufcA/s1600/DSC09081.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfK9i-6HNBQ/TjdH8K8iQTI/AAAAAAAACPQ/yZZFhQPufcA/s400/DSC09081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636052557733445938" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-indent: 0.36in;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0M9vQZ-jk8/TjdH7THCF4I/AAAAAAAACPA/OreqPniywhw/s1600/DSC09033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0M9vQZ-jk8/TjdH7THCF4I/AAAAAAAACPA/OreqPniywhw/s400/DSC09033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636052542745089922" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-indent: 0.36in"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The ancients associated the number Nine with the goddess or female aspects of divinity. In modern times, we've come to associate this number with the unconscious. In our life experience, the Nine is like a regulator, helping us to process any discrepancies between the seven and eight. Sometimes the nine will pull us toward the seven, where experience becomes the guiding force. At other times, it will pull us toward the “figuring-it-out” process of the eight. Because of this, the nine can be seen as the interface between the inner and outer self. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-indent: 0.36in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Planetary Aspect: The Moon. Color: Violet.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-indent: 0.36in"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gr0_vTayX8U/TjdH7qkehjI/AAAAAAAACPI/U1Mu4gNIZ2w/s1600/DSC09059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gr0_vTayX8U/TjdH7qkehjI/AAAAAAAACPI/U1Mu4gNIZ2w/s400/DSC09059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636052549042603570" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="CENTER"><br /></p><p align="CENTER"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceZ_HJADkB8/TjdH7BQmosI/AAAAAAAACO4/5lamnwKvEWM/s1600/DSC09016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceZ_HJADkB8/TjdH7BQmosI/AAAAAAAACO4/5lamnwKvEWM/s400/DSC09016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636052537953395394" border="0" /></a> </p>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-27721793943346175962011-07-22T23:51:00.000-07:002011-07-23T19:23:52.388-07:00TwelveUpon reaching the grand and magical age of 12, dear Donovan Boy shared his birthday with kindness, wisdom and an astounding amount of composure and maturity! We had a huge discussion about the number 12 and it's impact across the ages in so many areas, here are some gathered points to think about and there are of course so many more... please feel free to add!!<br />A birthday list for my geeky family....<br /><ol><li>The average human has twelve cranial nerves</li><li>Force 12 corresponds to the maximum wind speed of a hurricane.</li><li>The 12th moon of Jupiter is Lysithea<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></li><li>The chief Norse god,Odin, had 12 sons</li><li>King Arthur Legends are full of 12's! Round table knights, Arthur is said to have subdued 12 rebel princes and to have won 12 great battles against Saxon invaders. </li><li>twelve apostles<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Apostles" title="Twelve Apostles" class="mw-redirect"></a> </li><li>12 days of Christmas</li><li>12 Petals in Anahata <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anahata" title="Anahata"></a>(Heart Chakra).</li><li>The basic units of time (60 seconds, 60 minutes, 24 hours) can all perfectly divide by twelve</li><li>Western zodiac has twelve signs</li><li>twelve months<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year" title="Year"></a></li><li>12 dozen = gross</li><li>In ten pin bowling<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten-pin_bowling" title="Ten-pin bowling"></a>, 12 is the number of strikes needed for a perfect game.</li><li>The number of keys in any standard digital telephone (1 through 9, 0, * and #)</li><li>Epic poems The Aeneid by Virgil is divided into two halves composed of twelve books.</li><li><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_Lost" title="Paradise Lost"></a></i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span>Another epic poem, Paradise Lost by John Milton is divided into twelve books</li><li>The twelfth is the interval<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interval_%28music%29" title="Interval (music)"></a> of an octave and a fifth.</li><li>12 is the number of studio albums the band The Beatles<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles" title="The Beatles"></a> released.</li><li>In English, twelve is the number of greatest magnitude that has just one syllable<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syllable" title="Syllable"></a>.</li><li>twelve pairs of ribs ( usually)<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rib" title="Rib"></a> </li><li>Twelve people have walked on the Moon<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apollo_astronauts#Apollo_astronauts_who_walked_on_the_Moon" title="List of Apollo astronauts"></a>.</li><li>The USA<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States" title="United States"></a> is divided into twelve Federal Reserve Districts<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Arthur" title="King Arthur"></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></li><li>12 inches in a foot<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_%28length%29" title="Foot (length)" class="mw-redirect"></a></li><li>12 face cards in a card deck.</li><li>Twelve Olympians from Greek Mythology</li></ol>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-68693221713108186592011-06-12T13:51:00.000-07:002011-06-12T14:21:00.423-07:00Up and Away..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FTlzz5q6988/TfUsXmIyTrI/AAAAAAAACOw/Zej-S9bqeN0/s1600/DSC08883.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FTlzz5q6988/TfUsXmIyTrI/AAAAAAAACOw/Zej-S9bqeN0/s400/DSC08883.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617444894100573874" border="0" /></a><br />It's been a fair while since I've been here or even to think about writing something vaguely interesting. Now that the final weeks of teaching work and the boys' school is done for Summer, I can slow down a tiny bit and start to really focus again! Having spent endless hours pondering those ultra interesting projects: like building a new trellis in the garden; or starting a new compost heap; maybe attacking the beast of torn fabric and clothing that needs some loving; or boringly filing all the paperwork/bills that are stuffed into a drawer, or possibly embarking on some new fiber art project that is only in a dream state!? Yes, that's my dilemma today - now faced with a number of hours alone (as the rest of the family are playing golf)) these frightfully interesting projects wane and waft away as I organise files on the computer, download updates..... and now overwhelmingly I feel that taking a nap may be in my best interests after all!<br /><br />Happy June Gloom from not so sunny California!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">a small prize to who can guess where I've been by these pics?</span><br /><br /></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSAMSeIyeiE/TfUsXItxb9I/AAAAAAAACOo/78gq9G6OCSY/s1600/DSC08839.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSAMSeIyeiE/TfUsXItxb9I/AAAAAAAACOo/78gq9G6OCSY/s400/DSC08839.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617444886202642386" border="0" /></a>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-42540997452062868522011-04-21T11:48:00.000-07:002011-04-21T11:53:39.005-07:00Love = LifeWe all have wishes, wants, desires, needs - but what about those intangible things that make you smile and just plain feel good? Mostly inspirational, all are based in love and beauty<br /><br />Here I am taking a moment in the day to remember what makes me happy and appreciate a few simple pleasures that life is all about for me! In no particular order, but all equally in the number one position:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LdWxYh5yEUY/TbB77Gmw-TI/AAAAAAAACOM/N9o7dCvWXKQ/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LdWxYh5yEUY/TbB77Gmw-TI/AAAAAAAACOM/N9o7dCvWXKQ/s400/IMG_0487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598110592137230642" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Fresh running water in a babbling brook<br />Spring blooms in rainbow hues<br />The songs of the early morning birds<br />Wafting children laughter<br />The swaying leaves in lofty trees<br />The smell of good earth ready for planting<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuD1S45TDns/TbB76fC3b8I/AAAAAAAACN8/gZq-c0Yv4yE/s1600/DSC01778.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuD1S45TDns/TbB76fC3b8I/AAAAAAAACN8/gZq-c0Yv4yE/s400/DSC01778.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598110581517676482" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Indian Rose oil and Orange blossom together<br />Free time to paint and create<br />Staying for the sunset after a day at the beach<br />Dreaming of lost souls<br />Chasing clouds and adventure<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SS8zb7cEk1g/TbB77732OlI/AAAAAAAACOU/5UPDfktCQm8/s1600/DSC08138.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SS8zb7cEk1g/TbB77732OlI/AAAAAAAACOU/5UPDfktCQm8/s400/DSC08138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598110606435957330" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Healthy children in mind and spirit<br />Experiencing true love<br />Dancing in freedom<br />Great live music<br />Indian swoony spices!<br />A road less travelled<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gNdxaq14c6A/TbB76CSzsAI/AAAAAAAACN0/FSnBOFNY2Us/s1600/DSC03806.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 199px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gNdxaq14c6A/TbB76CSzsAI/AAAAAAAACN0/FSnBOFNY2Us/s400/DSC03806.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598110573799911426" border="0" /></a>Sculpting in wool<br />Bathing in colour<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ie48idNy1wk/TbB76-9Nu2I/AAAAAAAACOE/0yjc-QZGoLw/s1600/IMG_0294.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ie48idNy1wk/TbB76-9Nu2I/AAAAAAAACOE/0yjc-QZGoLw/s400/IMG_0294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598110590083906402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuD1S45TDns/TbB76fC3b8I/AAAAAAAACN8/gZq-c0Yv4yE/s1600/DSC01778.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gNdxaq14c6A/TbB76CSzsAI/AAAAAAAACN0/FSnBOFNY2Us/s1600/DSC03806.JPG"><br /></a>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-1210359382586313272011-03-17T17:20:00.000-07:002011-03-17T17:43:56.953-07:00Sharing..<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7hBit9IuOjo/TYKotdFmTtI/AAAAAAAACNs/_ti0Ba1nTIU/s1600/mountains1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7hBit9IuOjo/TYKotdFmTtI/AAAAAAAACNs/_ti0Ba1nTIU/s400/mountains1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585211986748526290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">hard to see the scale but this is about a foot high and nearly 4 feet wide</span></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Winter scape</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div>I am by nature pretty impatient, I have learnt more about this curious trait over the years from my children and more recently through my work in school, however I cannot be relied on to wait when I'm eager to share...<br /><br />In the past few months after inviting a dear and talented friend, Scissor Girl, with me to create some fabulous 'Freescapes' or playscapes that will be featured in a book due out hopefully next year. This one is our current winter offering and is far from finished, but I am quite pleased with how it's coming along. We started with an adapted Spring scape, but will return to that one soon for updating and developing in the season, and others will be created to encapsulate Summer and Autumn. Hopefully these scapes will inspire and lead the reader/artist into a world reflective of their inner self and qualities.<br /><br />I am feeling drawn to creating some scapes that mirror some of the lost beauty of the world that is not always experienced in person, maybe I'll have to travel more to gather my inspirations but that wouldn't be so bad either!~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-88167924539376364242011-03-04T20:11:00.000-08:002011-03-04T20:35:36.409-08:00Marching on...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZW5WQm6wmg/TXG68NHTSLI/AAAAAAAACNM/quNwPgfhDFU/s1600/DSC01753.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 361px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZW5WQm6wmg/TXG68NHTSLI/AAAAAAAACNM/quNwPgfhDFU/s400/DSC01753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580446956763957426" border="0" /></a>The Romans made March ( a favourite thing to do) the first month of the year in their calendar. Both Ovid and Plutarch said that <i>Martius</i>, was named after Mars, the Roman god of war. Indeed, it often is a month of firsts—the first daffodil, robin, earthworm, skunk, cabbage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--t3Msw5WkdU/TXG68JEybfI/AAAAAAAACNE/wq1QCRV80fE/s1600/DSC01282.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--t3Msw5WkdU/TXG68JEybfI/AAAAAAAACNE/wq1QCRV80fE/s400/DSC01282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580446955679673842" border="0" /></a>Spring itself starts with the vernal equinox on March 20 this year ( My 14th wedding anniversary is on the 21st!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This beautiful wet felted wall hanging was made with healing love by the students in Donovan Boy's 5th grade earlier this year.</span></span><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C2wO_z8o-V4/TXG68pGl3XI/AAAAAAAACNU/_cnDlNRKntk/s1600/DSC08461.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C2wO_z8o-V4/TXG68pGl3XI/AAAAAAAACNU/_cnDlNRKntk/s400/DSC08461.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580446964277173618" border="0" /></a>Apart from being notoriously temperamental weather-wise. According to weather proverbs:<div style="text-align: center;">If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb.<br />If March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68468752/workshop-on-felted-gnome-homies-waldorf"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Make this stone gnome in a class- Sunday March 13th, click here for details</span></span></a><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx34RSWdn6s/TXG682qjG8I/AAAAAAAACNc/CSyfjLWRzc0/s1600/DSC08628.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx34RSWdn6s/TXG682qjG8I/AAAAAAAACNc/CSyfjLWRzc0/s400/DSC08628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580446967917648834" border="0" /></a>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-77908274040986778022011-02-28T13:07:00.000-08:002011-02-28T13:13:47.276-08:00Wake up sleepyI've been quietly busy taking some online course to support my Waldorf teacher training and development as a human and this surprised me this morning as I was studying. A glimpse into the universe through this woman's experience mirrors so many ideas of others that came before her including Rudolf Steiner. Worth sharing, get a tissue.<br /><br /> It's about 18 mins long but worth watching I promise....a wake up to the 'reality' of life.<br /><br /><br /><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/JillBolteTaylor_2008-medium.flv&amp;su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/JillBolteTaylor-2008.embed_thumbnail.jpg&amp;vw=432&amp;vh=240&amp;ap=0&amp;ti=229&amp;introDuration=15330&amp;adDuration=4000&amp;postAdDuration=830&amp;adKeys=talk=jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight;year=2008;theme=medicine_without_borders;theme=master_storytellers;theme=how_the_mind_works;event=TED2008;&amp;preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/JillBolteTaylor_2008-medium.flv&amp;su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/JillBolteTaylor-2008.embed_thumbnail.jpg&amp;vw=432&amp;vh=240&amp;ap=0&amp;ti=229&amp;introDuration=15330&amp;adDuration=4000&amp;postAdDuration=830&amp;adKeys=talk=jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight;year=2008;theme=medicine_without_borders;theme=master_storytellers;theme=how_the_mind_works;event=TED2008;" width="446" height="326"></embed></object>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3310756442155075147.post-77069272475207655922011-02-02T17:20:00.000-08:002011-02-02T20:30:58.607-08:00Weather anyone?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_b_bLuH6-g0A/TUovN7MGmtI/AAAAAAAACMo/_YzgvTJjNCU/s1600/rosydoll.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_b_bLuH6-g0A/TUovN7MGmtI/AAAAAAAACMo/_YzgvTJjNCU/s400/rosydoll.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569315805470300882" border="0" /></a><br />Not if Groundhog Phil is on the nose this year it seems with the prediction of an early Spring around the corner, maybe more of an up and down a few blocks and a train ride away?! With horrendous storms brewing and colder weather snaps all over the US, one can only presume Phil had a snifter before popping out? Even here in sunny California, where truly we cannot complain about any smattering of awful weather that may flounce around for a few days, I've even had to wheel the old radiator out in the evening, gather my bedsocks and nightcap, and wish we had an open fireplace and some actual reason for doing all this!!<br /><br />Of course I'm going to talk about the weather today of all days because it's always polite and easy to start a conversation this way, but more importantly today is the festival of Candlemas, also known as Imbolc. The ancient Celtic goddess Brigid was honored on this day, and even after she was absorbed into the Church as St. Brigid, celebrations for her changed very little from their Pagan roots.<p>The name "Imbolc" has it’s name derived from the Gaelic “oimele” which means “ewes milk.” This major Sabbat lies opposite Lammas, and represents the very beginning of spring. This festival is for the Maiden, her renewal and has strong roots with the festivals for the Irish goddess Brigid. The name “Candlemas” is from the adaptations of rites for the Virgin Mary that the European churches held at the same time of year.</p><p>I didn't check but I also think it's the exact halfway point in the year between the Winter solstice and the Spring Equinox, making it <span style="visibility: visible;" id="search">one of the four <em>cross</em>-quarter <em>days. Special, right?</em> </span></p>~Phaedra~http://www.blogger.com/profile/06238715698548308985noreply@blogger.com0